Chemistry at Bard is geared primarily, but not exclusively, to meeting the needs of students planning to do graduate work in chemistry and biology. Students receive extensive hands-on experience with modern instruments. These include a 300-MHz NMR; GC/MS, UV/Vis, and FTIR spectrophotometers; HPLC; and SEM. In addition to the core courses, a student typically takes at least two advanced electives in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or physics, according to personal goals.

The chemistry major consists of three categories of courses:

1. The introductory chemistry sequence and background requirements:

• Chemistry 141 and 142, Basic Principles of Chemistry;
• Physics 141 and 142, and
• Math 141 and 142

Most students start with (Chemistry 141) in the fall semester of their first year. (Chemistry 142) which continues the fundamentals of Chemistry is taught in the spring. Students with Advanced Placement scores of 4 or 5 may choose to place out of (Chemistry 141) and/or (Chemistry 142) with the permission of the instructor. Contact Prof. Touchette for further information on advanced course placement. The four other introductory level courses should be taken before moderation, which occurs during the end of the second year.

2. The intermediate chemistry sequence:

• Chemistry 201 and 202, Organic Chemistry

Most students will take (Chemistry 201), Organic Chemistry, in the fall semester of their second year. (Chemistry 202) which continues the examination of Organic Chemistry is normally taught in the spring.

3. By graduation, all chemistry majors should have taken five advanced courses, four of which include:

• Chemistry 301, Principles of Chemical Analysis;
• Chemistry 312, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry; and
• Chemistry 411–412, Physical Chemistry

Finally all students must complete a Senior Project in Chemistry.

This list of courses is a minimum; students regularly take more chemistry courses than required.

To enter into the upper college or moderate in chemistry, a student writes two short papers; one describing the work the student has done in the lower college and the other describing the plans the student has for the upper college and beyond. Before moderating, students should complete or be enrolled in Chemistry 141-142 and 201-202, Mathematics 141 and 142, and Physics 141 and 142. Students are expected to follow the standard divisional procedure for Moderation and to fulfill the college-wide distribution and First-Year Seminar requirements. Each student then meets with a moderation board of three faculty (that includes two of the chemistry faculty) to discuss the work the student has done and what would be best for the student in the future.

The Chemistry Program is flexible enough to allow a student to prepare for graduate study in chemistry, professional schools (such as medical or law), or employment in the public or private sector.